Pontoon over Bowrider as First Boat?

Restless22 · Jun 6, 2012

I am trying to choose a family boat for my family of 4 and we want the boat for cruising, swimming and tubing, and maybe some fishing. I have several used bowriders to look at, and I never really looked into pontoons until my friend, the marina manager explained how simple the pontoons were.

He told me that a pontoon with a 40+ HP outboard is plenty fun.

So, would a pontoon satisfy us?

mrbusdriver · Jun 7, 2012

Re: Pontoon over Bowrider as First Boat?

Iv'e owned several different types of boats and to me a pontoon is the best there is. You can do all of the things that you talked about, with plenty of room to move around. Mine is a 18 ft with a 40 hp, with your group you will want a bigger boat and maybe more hp.

crspang · Jun 7, 2012

Re: Pontoon over Bowrider as First Boat?

A pontoon is the way to go for a family boat. But, get as much horsepower as you can afford, you won't regret it. I've never heard anyone say "I wish I would have gotten the smaller motor" in a storm.

WaterDR · Jun 7, 2012

Re: Pontoon over Bowrider as First Boat?

Pontoons are fantstic platforms. Comparing a bowrider to a pontoon is like this:

- The pontoon ride will be a lot smoother.

- Pontoons have a lot more space.

- Everyone wants to hang-out on a pontoon much more than a bowrider.

- Bowrider will handle better and make better speed. However, some of the newer toon technology makes up for this.

Our first toon we got when we had a very young family. A 40 HP was plenty big for us. We also owned a jetski whihc was great for pulling tubes too. Today, we still have a toon, just with a 115 motor and we still have a jetski.

Yes, the the biggest motor you can afford.

The Rooster · Jun 7, 2012

Re: Pontoon over Bowrider as First Boat?

+1 ^^^ to all the above advice !!! Good luck.

Silvertip · Jun 7, 2012

Re: Pontoon over Bowrider as First Boat?

If 20 MPH is not fast enough for you, then you do not want a pontoon. Yes -- putting enough power on a cement boat can make it fast but pontoons are slow cruisers. Great family boats -- just not quick with 40 - 60 HP. They are roomy and safe. If water skiing and serious water toy towing lights your fire then you want a planing hull like a deck boat or standard V-hull runabout. They are quick, sexy, but far less roomy.

Bamaman1 · Jun 7, 2012

Re: Pontoon over Bowrider as First Boat?

Pontoons have plenty of space, and they are a great value in that they will last just about forever if properly maintained and kept dry when not in use. (Mine is 26 years old.) You should decide what you want to do with the boat, and make a purchase that suits your present AND future boating needs. Nobody was ever sorry they got the bigger engine.

First question: Do you have a proper tow vehicle? Pontoons pull heavier than they are due to poor aerodynamics and general length. A V-8 pickup truck or SUV is preferable. Forget any front wheel drive vehicle to pull any boat over 1500 lbs.

You mentioned a 40 hp motor on a pontoon. It's important that a boat be seaworthy and capable of getting out of harms way in case of storms. They just won't cut the mustard.

A 22' boat with a 90 hp would be a good size boat for family water sports. Depending on how much you're wanting to spend, I especially like the same boat with 115 hp, triple hulls and lifting strakes on the hulls--for efficiency and speed. A trihull will handle so much better than a regular pontoon, which is important when maneuvering around skiers and tubers.

Good luck with your boat search.